New entrants and repeat children : continuity and change in care demand over time

This article and ‘Women in recurrent care proceedings in England (2007–2016) at p 412 below are based on presentations given at a seminar ‘Disrupting the care cases crisis' co-hosted by the Nuffield Foundation and Cafcass, held on 23 February 2017. The seminar was prompted by the concerns over the escalation in care demand highlighted by Sir James Munby in his 15th View from the President's Chambers (see October [2016] Fam law1227) and the need for a strategic response to tackle it. The Nuffield Foundation brought together policy-makers, experts across the family justice system, Whitehall and academics to hear and discuss latest research evidence, analyses by the DfE and MoJ and innovative practice by children's services. The overall aim of the seminar was to consider how the crisis might be addressed and to identify gaps in knowledge. Baroness Claire Tyler of Enfield, Chair of the Cafcass Board provided the concluding speech and Sir James Munby outlined his reflections on the day and what questions remained.